Train-lighting system.



No. 799,521. PATENTED SEPT. 12, 1905.

W. L. BLISS. TRAIN LIGHTING SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED MAB..15.1905.

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l UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

VILLIAM L. BLISS, OF BROOKLYN, NEf YORK, ASSIGNOR TO BLISS ELECTRIC CAR LIGHTING COMPANY, OF MILIVAUKEE, WISCONSIN. A CORPORATION OF IISCONSIN.

TRAIN-LIGHTING SYSTEM.

Speccation of Letters Patent.

lratented Sept. 12, 1905.

Application filed March 15, 1905. Serial No. 250,248.

To @ZZ 'L1/77,0711, t 71'2/1/7/ concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM L. BLIss, a citizen of the United States, residing at Brooklyn, in the county of Kings and State of New York, have invented new and useful Improvements in Train-Lighting Systems, of which the following is a full, clear, concise, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, forming a part of this specification.

The present invention relates to improvements in lighting systems which are especially adapted to be employed for lighting cars or other units -of transportation by electricity.

The lparticular form of system to which the present invention relates is especially adapted to be employed for lighting a train of cars. Each car in the train is equipped with a storage battery and lamps, and a single generator which is driven by an axle or similar means furnishes current to all of the cars.'

The object of the present invention is to provide a system wherein the number of cars in the train may be changed and output of the generator varied accordingly.

It is also the object of the present invention to provide a system wherein constant current will be maintained for charging the storage battery upon each car at constant speed of the generator, notwithstanding changes in the number of lamps in operation upon said car.

The present application sets forth and claims a modification of an invention which is disclosed by an application filed by me on July 2o, i904, serial No. 217,386.

According to the preferred form of the present invention the generator is regulated by an exciter to confine the output thereof within prearranged limits. It is preferable to provide each car in the train with an exciter; but it will be understood that so far as certain features of the invention are concerned the system may merely be provided with a single exciter.

The accompanying drawing illustrates a system which will be 'explained for the purpose of disclosing the present invention. It will of course be understood that the system illustrated in the drawing may be changed in many ways without departing from the invention, and, furthermore, that the drawing illustrates merely sufiicient features of the system to disclose the invention.

The generator which furnishes current to light the train is preferably arranged upon the tender of the locomotive; but it may be located elsewhere on the train. The armature l of the generator is preferably geared to an axle, and the lield thereof is preferably provided with a shunt field-winding 2 and a differential field-winding 3. The shunt-winding is preferably energized by current from the generator, and it preferably initially excites the field. The differential field-winding opposes the shunt field-winding and it is always predominated in action by the latter winding. The train is preferably provided with a trainline or main circuit which extends through the cars or units thereof, said train-line preferably being composed of conductors 1I, 5, and 6. The conductors 5 and 6 are preferably connected to the generator at the forward end of the train by conductors or supply-mains 7 and 8, and the conductors 4L and 5 are preferably connected to each other at the rear end of the train by conductor or jumper 9.

The equipment which is installed upon each car will now be explained. The drawing' illustrates the equipment for two cars, and as both equipments are alike reference will be made to a single car in explaining the same. Each car is provided with a local circuit composed of conductors l() and Il and arranged across the train-line, the conductor l() being connected to the conductor 6 and the conductor l1 being connected to the conductor 4. As the length of the circuit between the generator and each local circuit is the same, equal voltages will be impressed upon the local circuits. A storage battery I2 and lamps 13 are preferably arranged in the local circuit in parallel. The lamp branch of the local circuit is preferably provided with a switch I4. The connection of the local circuit to the train-line is preferably controlled by an automatic switch, which may be provided with stationary contacts 15 and I6 and a movable contact 17. The movable contact 17 is preferably carried by a plunger 18, which is actuated by electromagnetic windings I9 and 20. The winding 19 is preferably arranged across the local circuit between the switchcontacts and the train-line, and the winding 20 is preferably arranged in the local circuit in series with the switch-contacts and the storage battery. The shunt-winding 19 will cause IOO the switch to close whenever the voltage of the generator equals that of the storage batteiy, and when the switch is closed the series winding 2O will be energized by current flowing through the local circuit. So long as the generator sends current through the local circuit the series winding will assist the shuntwinding to keep the movable contact lirinly in engagement with the stationary contacts. flienever the voltage of the generator falls below that of the storage battery, current will How backward through the local circuit from said battery, and the series winding will then oppose the sliunt-winding, thereby causing the switch to open. Each car is preferably provided with an exciter for regulating the generator, said exciter preferably being' provided with an ari'nature 2l and a field-winding 22. One brush of the exciter-armature is preferably connected to the local main l0, and the other brush thereof is preferably connected to one terminal of the generator differential field-winding 3 by a conductor 23. The other terminal ofthe differential field-winding is preferably connected to the supply-main S. rl`he exciter field-winding 22 .is preferably arranged in the battery branch of the local circuit in series with the storage battery; but it may be arranged in circuit in other ways without changing the effect thereof. The armature of the exciter is preferably driven by a shunt-motor, said motor being provided with an armature 2-1 and a lield 25 and arranged in the local circuit across the mains l0 and 11. lt will be understood that the exciter may be of any form and that the same may perform its purpose in various ways,

hen the generator is in operation,current will flow from supply-main 7 through conductor 5 and jumper 9 to conductor 4L, thence through the local circuits, and finally through conductor 6 to supply-main 8. .if the voltage of the generator be substantially equal to that of the storage battery,the current for operating the lamps will be furnished by the generator and the storage battery together; but if it be greater than that of the storage battery the generator will furnish the entire current for operating the lamps and also cu rrent for charging the storage battery. lt being assumed that the voltage of the generator is greater than tliatof the storage battery,current will How in each local circuit from local niain 1l and through the automatic switch, then it will divide and flow through the storage battery l2 and exciter field-winding 22 and also through the lamps 13, and finally it will reunite in the local main 10. Then the generator becomes inoperative, thereby causing the voltage thereof to fall below that of the storage battery, the automatic switch will open, and thus prevent the storage battery from dischargingthrough the generator. The storage battery will then furnish the current for operating the lamps.

VThe current to which the field-winding 22 is subjected will vary whenever the speed of the generator varies, since the current delivered to the storage battery will vary whenever the voltage impressed thereon varies. Then the speed of the generator increases, the current in the exciter lield-winding will increase, thereby causing the exciter to increase the cu rreiit in the generator differential field-windings 3, and when it decreases the current in said exciter held-winding will decrease, thereby causing the exciteil to decrease the current in said differential lieldwinding. Upon an increase in the current in the generator differential held-winding the lield strength of the generator will be increased, and upon a decrease in said current the field strength of the generator will be decreased. 'lhe lield strength of the generator will therefore be varied inversely as the speed thereof varies, and in consequence the generator will be regulated by the exciter to conline the output thereof within prearranged limits, notwithstanding the excessive variations in speed to which it is subjected. lnasmucli as the current delivered to the storage battery will increase iii almost direct proportion to the rise in voltage of the generator above the normal voltage of the storage battery the exciter lield-winding 22 will be subjected to considerable variations in current upon slight variations in the speed of the generator, and in consequence the exciter will be very effective in I ierforming its functions. As the exciter field-winding is subjected merely to the current delivered to the storage battery, the number of lamps in operation may be changed and the current the generator delivers thereto varied accordingly without causing the action of the exciter-to be materially affected in regulating the generator, and accordingly constant eurreiit will be delivered to the storage battery at constant speed of the generator irrespective of the number of lamps in operation. l/Vlien cars are added to the train, the output of the generator will increase to supply the increase in the demands for current because new parallel circuits are placed across the train-line or main circuit, and likewise when cars are taken from the train the saine will decrease because parallel circuits are rcmoved from across the train-line or main circuit. Moreover, the output of the generator will increase whenever the number of translating devices in operation in any car is increased, and likewise it will decrease whenever the number of said translating devices in operation in any ear is decreased. lThe generator will therefore keep the output thereof sufficient to supply all demands for current. It may be assumed where two cars are in the train, as illustrated in the drawing, that the generator delivers seventy amperes, thirty-five amperes being distributed to each IIO IZO

car. When a ear is added to the train, the output of the generator Will increase to one hundred and five amperes, and when one is taken therefrom it Will decrease to thirty-[ive amperes. It may be further assumed that in each car twenty amperes is consumed by the lamps and fifteen amperes is delivered to the storage battery. If the number of translating devices in operation be increased until the lamps consume thirty-five amperes, then the output of the generator will increase until fifty amperes is distributed to said car, thereby still maintaining fifteen amperes for charging the storage battery. So long'as the speed of the generator remains constant the current to which the field-winding Q2 of the exciter is subjected Will remain constant, and therefore the current delivered by the generator may vary upon changes in the number of units in the train and the number of translating devices in operation Without thereby causing said field-Winding to be subjected to variations in current. If said field-Winding were arranged in circuit Where it would be subjected to such variations in current under such conditions, then it would cause the exciter to prevent the generator from varying the output thereof in accordance with the va riations in the demands for current.

The advantage which arises from making the current for charging the storage battery constant at constant speed of the generator is that the amount of current which Will be delivered to the storage battery during a trip of the train running upon schedule-time may be determined, thereby making it possible to have the current for charging the storage battery sufficient to compensate for all demands which may be made upon said battery.

It will be understood that the difference between the exciter which is shown in this application and the counter-electromotive-force device which is shown in my application filed July 20, 1904, Serial No. 217,386, is that the exciter furnishes current for energizing a Winding upon the field of the generator, While the counter-electromotive-force device sends forth no current, but merely creates a counter electromotive force to oppose the current Which the generator sends through a Winding upon the field thereof.

The number of exciters for regulating the generator Will depend upon the number of cars in the train. The armatures of the several exciters are arranged in circuit in parallel with each other, the same being' placed collectively in series with the differential field- Winding of the generator. I nasmuch as the combined electromotive force of the several exciters will be substantially the same as the individual electromotive force of any one of said exciters, the several exciters will operate Without interfering With the action of each other, and the number thereof in parallel may be changed Without thereby changing the action of the same in regulating the generator.

It will be understood that the drawing' of this application illustrates merely sufficient features of the system to set forth the invention. Various means may be employed in practice to render the exciter inoperative when the battery discharges current, if it seems advisable to attain such result, and, moreover, any means may be provided to regulate the Voltage impressed upon the lamps and other translating devices.

It will be understood that many changes may be made in the system which has been set forth herein Without sacrificing the results Which the present invention seeks to attain.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is#

l. In a train-lighting system, in combination, a generator driven at a variable speed, a storage battery and translating devices carried upon each of a plurality of units of the train and arranged in circuit With said generator, an exciter for regulating' said generator to confine the output thereof Within prearranged limits, said exciter being arranged in circuit to respond to variation in current upon variations in the speed of the generator Without preventing said generator from varying the output thereof upon changes in the number of cars in the train and the number of translating devices in operation.

2. In a train-lighting system, in combination, a generator driven at a variable speed, a local circuit arranged upon each of a plurality of units of the train and connected to said generator, a storage battery and translating devices arranged in each local circuit, an automatic switch controlling the connection of each local circuit to said generator, an exciter for regulating said generator to confine the output thereof Within jinearranged limits and having the armature thereof connected to the field-winding of said generator, a motor for driving said exciter, and an electromagnetic Winding for controlling the operation of said exciter and arranged in circuit to respond to variations in current upon variations in the speed of the generator without being subjected to such variations in current as result from changes in the number of units in the train and the number of translating devices in operation.

"3. In a train-lighting system,'in combination, a generator driven at a variable speed, a local circuit arranged upon a'unit of the train and connected to said generator, a storage battery and translating devices connected to said local circuit in parallel, an exciter for regulating said generator to confine the output thereof within prearranged limits and provided with a Winding for controlling the operation thereof, said Winding being arranged in the battery branch of said local circuit in se- IOO IOS

ries with said battery, and a storage battery and translating' devices arranged upon each of other units of the train and connected to said generator.

et. In a train-lighting system, in combination, a generator driven at a variable speed, a local circuit arranged upon a unit of the train,a storage battery and translating devices arranged in said local circuit in parallel, an exciter for regulatingl said generator to confine the output thereofI within prearranged limits, saidexciter being provided with an electromagnetic winding forcontrollingtheoperation thereof and arranged in the battery branch of said local circuit in series with said storage battery, a local circuit arranged upon each of other units of the train and having a storage battery and translating devices connected thereto, a train-circuit extending through said units and connected to said generator, and an automatic switch arranged upon each of said units and controlling the connection of the local circuit upon the unit of the train therewith to said train-line.

5. In a train-lighting system, in combination, a generator driven at a variable speed and provided with a shunt field-winding and a differential field-winding, said shunt fieldwinding being' energized by current from said generator, a local circuit arranged upon a unit of the train, a storage battery and translating devices connected to said local circuit in parallel, an exciter for regulating the generator to confine the output thereof within prearranged limits and having the armature thereof connected to said differential field-winding, said exciter being provided with an electromagneticwinding for controlling the operation thereofI and arranged in the battery branch of said local circuit in series with said storage battery, a local circuit arranged upon another unit of the train and having a storage battery and translatingl devices connected thereto, a train-line extending through said units and connected to said generator, and an automatic switch carried upon each of said units and controlling the connection of the local circuit upon the unit of the train therewith to said train-line.

6. In a train-lighting system, in combination, a generator driven at a variable speed, a local circuit arranged upon each of a plurality of units of the train, a storage battery and translating devices connected to each local circuit, an exciter carried upon each of said units, said exciter being arranged to regulate said generator and thereby confine the output thereof within prearranged limits, said exciter being connected in circuit to respond to variations in current upon variations in the speed of said generator without preventing said generator from varying the output thereof upon changes in the number of units in the train and the number of translating devices in operation.

7. In a train-lighting system, in combination, a generator driven at variable speed, a local circuit arranged upon each of a plurality of units of the train, a storage battery and translating devices carried upon each of said units and connected to the local circuit upon the unit of the train therewith, an exciter carried upon each of said units of the train and operati vely arranged in circuit to confine the output of said generator within prearrangcd limits, said exciter being arranged in circuit to regulate said generator to maintain constant current for charging said storage batteries at the constant speed of the generator.

8. In a train-lighting system, in combination, a generator driven at a variable speed, a local circuitarranged upon each of a plurality of units of the tra-in, a storage battery and translating devices carried upon each of said units and connected to the local circuit upon the unit of the train therewith, an exciter carried upon each of said units and operatively arranged in circuit with said generator to confine the output thereof within prearranged limits, the several exciters being arranged in circuit in parallel.

9. In a train-lighting system, in combination, a generator driven at a variable speed, a local circuit arranged upon each of a plurality of units of the train and connected to said generator, a storage battery and translating devices arranged in each local circuit in parallel, an exciter carried upon cach of said units, said exciter being' operatively connected in circuit with said generator to confine the output thereof within prearranged limits, the armatures of the several exciters being arranged in circuit in parallel and collectively in series with the field-winding of said generator, and the fieldwinding of each exciter being arranged in the battery branch of the local circuit upon the unit of the train therewith in series with the storage battery of said branch.

10. In a train-lighting system, in combination, a generator driven at a variable speed and provided with a shunt field-winding and a differential field-winding, said shunt lieldwinding being energized by current delivered from said generator, a train-circuit passing through a plurality of units of the train and connected to said generator, a local circuit arranged upon each of said units, an automatic switch for connecting each local circuit to said train-line, a storage battery and translating devices arranged in each local circuit in parallel, an exciter carried upon cach of said units, the armature of each exciter being connected to said differential field-winding and the field-winding thereof being' arranged in the battery branch of the local circuit upon a unit of the train therewith in series with the storage battery in said branch, the armatures of the several exciters being arranged in circuit in parallel with each other and collectively in series with said differential field- IOO IIO

ISO

Winding, and a motor carried upon each unit for driving the armature of the eXciter upon the unit therewith.

l1. In a train-lighting system, in combination, a generator driven at a variable speed and mounted upon the tender of the locomotive, a local circuit arranged upon each of a plurality of cars and connected to said generator1 a storage battery and translating devices arranged in each local circuit in parallel, an exciter carried upon each car, the armature of said exciter being connected to the field-Winding of said generator and the held-Winding thereof being arranged in the battery branch of said local circuit upon a unit of the train therewith in series with the stor-V age battery in said branch.

tive, a train-circuit extending through a plul rality of units of the train and connected to said generator, a local circuit arranged upon each car, an automatic switch Vfor connecting' each local circuit to said train-line, a storage battery and translating' devices arranged in each local circuit in parallel, an exciter carried upon each car, the armature of said exciter being connected to the held-Winding of said generator and the held-winding thereof being' arranged in the battery branch of the local circuit upo-n a unit of the train therewith in series with the storage batteryin said branch, the armatures of the several exciters being arranged in circuit in parallel with each other and collectively in series with the iieldwinding of said generator.

In witness whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name in thepresence of two Witnesses.

VILLIAM L. BLSS. litnesses:

J. lV. ROBERTSON, ANNA M. LYNCH; 

